Sheet-separating machine.



4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

In uerul off Alluring/4 W. R; KINNEAR. SHEET SEPARATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24, 1910. 1 079 861 Patented Nov. 25, 1913.

m MW 7 wm w Y. L mm w w hm 0 m.

W. R. KINNEAR. SHEET SBPARATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24/1910.

Patented Nov. 25, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET [NVENTOR WITNESS s W. R. KINNEAR.

SHEET SEPARATING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY24, 1910. v 1 079 861 IPatented Nov. 25, 1913.

'4 SHEBTSSHEET 3.

W. R. KINNEAE.

SHEET SEPARATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24, 1910.

1,079,861 1 Patented Nov. 25, 1913.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

WITNESSES [NIUzI VTOR WILLIAM R. KINNEAR, OF NEW CASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

SHEET-SEPARATING MACHINE.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May- 24, 1910. Serial. No. 563,299.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM R. KIN-NEAR, a citizen of the United States,and resident of New Castle, in the county of Lawrence and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSheet-Separating Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention pertains to machines for stripping aparta pile ofmetallic sheets while the same are in their annealed or frozen state,and has for its purpose to provide a machine of that character embodyingfurther improvements over a machine designed for a like purpose and forwhich I have pending an application for U. S. patent, bearing the SerialNo. 518,196 and dated September 17, 1909.

'The characteristic of the machine aforesaid lies in that separate andindependent means are provided for lifting a part of the sheet and thenseparating or stripping the sheet thus lifted-from the pile, and afurther characteristic thereof is that presser feet are employed forholding down the a-d acent sheets during the stripping action. Asdistinct therefrom, thepresent machine contemplates the use of a singlemeans for first lifting a partof the sheet and then stripping the samefrom the pile, and for preventing the adherence of other sheets to thesheet being stripped a reciprocating blade is employed which serves thefurther purpose of assisting in the stripping operation.

slightly lifting a part of the topmost sheets of the pile progressivelyas the sheets are separated; a means coiiperating with the suction meansfor positively holding to the carrier the edge of the sheet thus raised;

mechanism for oscillating the carrier to' strip off the sheets; afollower or auxiliary means for assisting in the stripping opera-'through the medium of the guides 14. Withthe carrier dis a plurality offsuction det-ion and preventing the adherence of other sheets to thesheet being stripped; and a means for removing the stripped sheets cleardetails of construction of these parts and their manner of operationwill be explained in the specification following.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the machine by way ofexample, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a complete machine; Fig. 2 is alongitudinal sectional view of the. machine; Fig. 3 is a top plan viewthereof; Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the suction or \sheet liftingcarrier; F ig. 5

is a transverse sectional View through the carrienshowing one of ,thesuction devices, and; Fig. 6 isa similar view showing one of the sheetgripping devices. Fig. 7 is a similar view to Fig. 2, with some of theparts moved into different positions.

Referring to the several figures more in detail and with like charactersof reference indicating corresponding parts in the several Patented Nov.25, 1913.

views shown, 1 designates the machine sup- 1 porting frame which ismounted to have vertical movement on the four screw-threaded adjustingbars 2 whereby it may be'lowered progre sively as the sheets areseparated, the

means for effecting which adjustment is fully illustrated and describedin my copending application above referred to, Serial No. 518,196, datedSeptember 17, 1909; and

supported by said frame 1 is a frame superstructure 3' which providesthe mounting for the operating motor 4, and which with the frame 1 formsthe guideways 5 for the sheet stripper or carrier 6.

t The carrier (Sis adapted to have oscillatmg movement within the frame1 and its ments, rocks upon the-pile of sheets to be separated, as willbe hereinafter explained.

The side plates 7 are supported within the frame through the medium ofthe shaft 9,

lower ends said side sections 7 carry stub shafts 11 adapted to travelwithin the arcuate guideways of the depending arms 12 that which shaftat its opposite ends is journaled within the sliding blocks 10 thatreciprocate within the guideways 5; and adjacent their form an integralpart of the frame 13, which in turn is adapted to have slight verticalreciprocating movement within the frame 1 vices comprising cylinders 15rigidly securedof the pile. In this order of reference, the

to a cross head 16 that forms an integral part of the frame 6, andconnected with each Within each of the cylinders 15 is a piston 19carried by the piston rod. 20 and the several rods 20 are mounted upon acommon cross head 21, which cross head is, through the medium ofsuitable hangers 22 that straddle. the shaft 9, adapted to bereciprocated on the guides 23. For effecting this reciprocation of thecross head 21 and creating suction in the cylinders, each of the hangers22 has-mounted thereon a; pair of oppositelydisposed rollers 24 thatrideupon the cams 25 fixed upon the shaft 9.

Through the mechanism thus far described, the suction devices areadapted to engage with the topmost sheet of the pile .For impartingaction to the dogs 26, the

shaft 27 is fitted with-a lever 28 whose outer end is connected with therod 29 and said rod 29 carries opposed rollers 30 cotiperating with cams31 likewise mounted on the shaft 9.. The relative position of the cams.

1 25 and 31 is so selected that when the edge of the sheet is lifted,the gripping dogs 26 are given their inward movement, permitting thejaws of the dogs to enter beneath the sheet. During the oscillatingmovement of the carrier 6, the dogs in that manner hold on to the sheet,thereby stripping it off the pile.

For actuating the suction devices, the shaft 9 has a pinion 32 which,through a train of gears 33, is connected with a pinion 34 that is fixedon shaft 33 of the arm 35 Ofthe frame 1. The pinion 34 derives itsmovement through the chain36 which in turn engages with the sprocket 37that is carried by the shaft 38, said shaft 38 being rotated in turnthrough the chain andsprocket gearing 39, 40 and 41 from the -moto-r 4(see Fig. 1:). And in order that the train of gearing 32 and 33 mayaccommodate itself to the oscillating movement of the carrier 6, theseveral sprockets composing said train of gearing are journaled within aflexible frame conslsting of a pair of pivotally mounted arms 42.

Cotiperating with the sheet stripper 6 is an auxiliary stripper orfollower, which consists of a horizontally disposed blade 43 that ismounted on a carriage 43' that reciprocates in the guideways 44 of theframe 1, the operation of which blade is so timed that immediately theedge of the sheet is lifted,sa-id blade enters thereunder and as thecarrier 6 performs its stripping movement. the blade 43 follows suchmovement, and in addition to assisting in the stripping of the sheet,said blade 43 is further serviceable in that it prevents the adherenceof 7 any other sheets to the sheet being stripped.

The means for imparting movement to the blade 43 consists of' the pitman45 which is.

connected at one end 46 to the carriage 43 and at its opposite end 47 toa crank arm 48 that is mounted on the shaft 38. For effecting thesimultaneous movement of the carrier 6 with the suction device and thedogs 26, and of the blade 43 as above explained and for the correctpositioning of these parts at the beginning of each stroke, the bladecarrier 43 supports a pair of uprights 50, which through the medium ofthe rods 51 connect with the journal blocks 10 of the shaft 9. Thus whenthe carrier 43' advances with the blade, the slides 10,

'carrying shaft 9, from which carrier 6 is suspended, are pushed forwardby the rods 51. As the stub shafts 11 at the beginning of the movementare held approximately stationary by the guide ways in the arms 12 thecarrier 6 will, to begin with, rock around the stub shafts. During thecontinued forward movement of the shaft 9,'the stub shafts will becompelled to follow the arcuate path upward of the guide ways, until thecarrier 6 ultimately takes the position shown in Fig. 7. 'It is arrangedsothat the carrier 6 may rock upon the pile of sheets while performingthe greater part. of its stripping. operation and thatv it be liftedfrom the pile at a certain portion thereof, or when it has aboutcompleted its stripping moveinent. To effect this lifting is thefunction of the vertically moving frame 13. For giving said frame 13this necessary lifting movement, said frame is connected to the machineframe 1 by the toggles" 52 to which are connected the rods 53 and saidrods are pivotally secured to arms 54 on the shaft 55. At 'one end, theshaft 55 carries an arm 56 that connects withv a pitman 57 which derivesa shifting movement through the medium of the cam 58 that is keyed tothe shaft 33. This arrangement will cause the frame 13' to be raised andthe carrier 6 to be swung around its shaft 9, through the engagement ofthe stub shafts 11 with the guideways of the arms 12. The shaft 9 bemgat the time situated to the left (see Fig. 7) of shafts 11, the innerarc of the guideway, at its upper end will press against the shafts 11,thus raising them, and with them the plate held to the carrier 6. i

As the carrier 6'is lifted, the weight of the machine is partiallysustained through the medium of clamps 52 that'are disposed to eitherside of the pile within the guideways 53 and 53 and one of said clampshas a link connection 54 to a fixed stud 55 on the frame 1, and througha friction roller 56 that rides within a slot 57 of the carriage 43,said links 54' act to bring their respective clamp 52 into clampingengageweasel.

; fixed finger 60 and a movable upper finger 61. Said movable, finger 61has a fixed arm 61 which is connected through a link 62 to a two armedlever- 63., 63. In the forward movement of the carrier 59., i. e. in thedirection for engaging the stripped sheet, the arms 63 are engaged bycam projections 6 on the cross bar- 64 thus causing said fingers toclose and engage the sheet. The joint between parts 2 nd 63 is thenthrownslightly beyond the-dead center so as. to keep the fingers firmlylocked over the plate. And

on the completion of the rearward movement of the carrier, the arms 63engage with similar projections 65 and operate to release the grippingdevices from the sheet, whereupon the sheets are permitted to fall tothe Q floor or upon a suitable conveyor, whence they are transferred.The carrier 59 derives its movement through the mechanism for actuatingthe carrier 6 and the stripping blade 43, the means whereof consists ofa rack bar 66 secured to the carrier 59, and which engages with aloosely mounted pinion 67., which pinion has inturn a likeengagementwith the rackbar 68, and the rack bar 68 is secured to the carriage 43-.The two racks 66. and 68- are held in position with respect to thecommon pfnion 67 by means of retainingor uide rollers 69.

Having thus escribed my invention, what I claim as new therein anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

for engaging the edge of and then stripping the sheets one by one from apile, and means for removing the stripped sheets.

2. In a sheet separating machine, means for engaging the edge portion ofand then stripping the sheets oneby one from a pile, means forremovingthe stripped sheets, and means for positioning said engaging andstripping means for action as the sheets are separated. 3. In a sheetseparatin machine, suction means for engaging and fifting one portion ofa sheet, a carrier for said suction means having gripping memberscooperating with said carrier to strip the sheet from the next adjacentsheet, means for preventing the adherence of another sheet to the sheetbeing stripped, and means for removing the stripped sheet.

4. In a sheet separating machine, means adapted to. rest upon the sheetsand through suction engage and lift one portion'of the topmost sheet andhaving gripping members adapted to. be actuated to effect the strippingof the sheet, and means cooperating therewith for removing the strippedsheet.

5* A machine for separating a pile of sheets comprising a frame adaptedto be supported overand lowered progressively with a. pile of sheets asthe sheetsare separated, a carrier mounted in said frame and providedwith suction and gripping means for successivelyengaging and; strippingthev topmost sheet of the pile, and means coopcrating therewith forremoving the sheet as stripped.

6. A machine for separating a pile ofsheets comprising a frame, acarrier provided with a suction deviceand with gripping members mountedto oscillate therein and adapted to successively engage with and stripthe topmost sheet of the pile, and means. cotiperatingtherewith forremoving the sheet as stripped.

7. A machine for separating a pile of sheets comprising a frame, acarrier mounted to oscillate therein and having a plurality of suctiondevices and gripping members adapted to engage with and lift one portionofthe topmostsheet of the pile, said oscillating device adapted duringits movements to strip off the sheet thus engaged,

and means cotiperatingtherewith for removing the sheet as stripped.

8. A machine for separating a pile of sheets comprising a frame, acarrier provided with a suction device and with grip- 'ping membersmounted to oscillate within the frame and adapted to successively engagewith and strip the top sheet from the pile, a follower for said"stripping means adapted to. prevent the adherence of the sheet adjacentthe stripped sheet, and means for actuating saidfollower and saidoscillating carrier. I

9. A machine for separating a pile of sheets comprising a frame, acarrier mounted tooscillate therein and having a suction device adaptedto engage with and lift one portion of the topmost sheet of the pileprogressively as the sheets are separated, said carrier adapted torollupon the pile of sheets and strip off-the sheet so engaged, meansfor elevating the carrier during a portion of its stripping operation,and means for actuating the carrier and said elevating means.

10. A machine for separating a pile of sheets comprising a frame, acarrier mounted to oscillate therein and having a suction deviceadaptedto engage with and lift a portion of the topmostsheet of thepile, a means associated therewith for positively holding the raisedportion of the sheet,

. means for actuating the carrier whereby to strip ofi the sheet soengaged, and means for removing thestripped sheet.

11. A machine for separating a pile of sheets comprising a frame, acarrier adapted to oscillate therein and having a suction device adaptedto raise a portion of the topmost sheet of the pile, a means carried bysaid carrier and cooperating with the suction device to positively holdthe raised portion of the sheet, means for actuating said carrierwhereby to strip the sheet from the pile, and means for removing thestripped sheet.

12. A machine for separating a pile of sheets comprising a'frame, acarrier adapted to oscillate therein and having a plurality of suctiondevices adapted to raise a portlon of the topmost sheet of the pile,gripping dogs mounted on the oscillating carrier adjacent the suctiondevices and adapted to positively hold the raised portion of the sheet,means for actuating said carrieriwhereby to strip the sheet from thepile, andmeans for removing the stripped sheet.

13. A machine for separating a pile of sheets comprising a frame, acarrier mounted to oscillate within said frame, and provided with aplurality of suction devices arranged adjacent one edge thereof, saidsuction devices adapted to raise a portion of the topmost sheet of thepile, gripping dogs journaled on said frame adjacent the suction devicesand adapted to positively hold the raised portion. of the sheet, meansfor actuating the carrier whereby to strip the sheet from the pile, anda reciprocating gripping means adapted to engage with and remove thestripped sheet.

14. A machine for separating a pile of sheets comprising a frame, acarrier mounted to oscillate within said frame and having grippingmembers and a plurality of suction devices arranged adjacent one edgethereof, said gripping membelts and suction devices adapted to gripandlraise a portion of the topmost sheet of the pile, means foractuating the carrier whereby to strip the sheet from, the pile, saidactuatingmeans having a part adapted to follow the oscillating carrierand prevent the adherence of other sheets to the sheet being stripped,and a reciprocating means adapted to engage with and remove the strippedsheet.

15. A machine for separating a pile of sheets comprising a frame, acarrier mounted to oscillate within said frame and adapted to besupportedupon the pile of sheets, said carrier fraine provided with aplurality of suction devices arranged adjacent one edge thereof, saidsuction devices adapted to engage with and lift a part of the. top sheetof the pile, gripping dogs journaled on said carrier and adapted topositively hold thereto the raised portion of the sheet,

a follower adapted to prevent the adherence of sheets to the sheet beingseparated, a means for simultaneously actuating said carrier andfollower for strippin off the sheet from the pile, a means for li ingsaid carrier clear of the pile during a portion of its strippingmovement, and a reciprocating means adapted to engage with and removethe stripped sheet.

16. A machine for separating a pile of sheets comprising a suitablymounted frame, a carrier mounted within said frame and provided withsuction means adapted to engage with and lift a portion of the top sheetof the pile, gripping dogs mounted on the carrler adapted topositively'hold thereto the raised portion of the sheet, said carrieradapted to be supported by the pile of sheets during said liftingaction, means for oscillatlng the carrier whereby to strip off thesheet, means for lifting the carrier from the p le of sheets during aportion of the stripping operation, a follower adapted to assist 1n thestrlpping of the sheet and prevent the adherence thereto of othersheets, means for simultaneously actuating said oscillating carrier andthe follower, and a reciprocat mg grlppingdevice adapted to engage withand remove the stripped sheet.

17. A machine for separating a pile of sheets comprising a suitablymounted frame, a carrier mounted to oscillate therein and provided w1thgripping members and a plurality of suction cylinders having means forcreating suction therein, said suction cylinders and gripping membersadapted to lift a portion of the top'sheet of the pile progresslvely asthe sheets are separated, a means for actuating the oscillating carrierwhereby to strip off the sheet, a flexible gearadapted to rock upon thepile of sheets, a

plurality of cylinders mounted on said oscillatmg carrier, pistonswithin said cylinders adapted to create suction therein whereby .thecylinders may lift a part of the top sheet of the pile, gripping dogsmounted on the oscillating carrier and adapted to engage with andpositively hold the raised portion of the sheet, means for impartingoscillatory movement to saidcarrier whereby to strip oif the sheet,means for lifting the oscillating carrier from the pile during a portionof its stripping operation, a flexible train of gearing connecting thesuction creating means with the actuating means-of the oscillatingcarrier, and a reciprocating gripping device adapted to engage with andremove the stripped sheet.

19. A stripping device fora sheet separating machine comprising a framemounted to oscillate therein and adapted to be rocked upon the pile ofsheets to be separated, and a suction means carried by said frameadapted to engage with a portion of. sheet and hold thesame durin therocking movement whereby to strip 0 the sheet.

20. A stripping device for a sheet separating machine comprising a framemounted to oscillate therein and provided with a suction means adaptedto engage with and lift a portion of a sheet, and a means mounted ontheframe adjacent the suction means adapted to positively hold the raisedportion of the sheet during v the oscillation of the frame whereby tostrip off the sheet.

21. A stripping device for a sheet separating machine comprising a framehavlng an arcuate surface and adapted to be oscillated, a plurality ofsuction devices exposed in the arcuate surface and adapted to engagewith and lift a portion of a sheet, means adjacent the suction devicesfor positively holding the portion thus raised during the oscillation ofthe frame whereby to strip ofl the sheet.

'22. A stripping device for a sheet sepa rating machine comprising aframe having an arcuate surface and adapted to be oscillated, aplurality of cylinders having nozzles exposed in said arcuate surface,means 'for creating suction within said .cylinders whereby to engage andlift a portion of a zle exposed in said arcuate surface, pistons withinthe cylinders adapted to create suction therein, said pistons havingrods mounted on a common cross-head, means for re-.

ciprocating the cross-head whereby to create suction in the severalcylinders simultaneously and cause to be'lifted a portion of a sheet,gri ping dogs mounted a nozzles a a ted to ositively hold the or-.tionthus raised during the oscillation o the framewhereby' to strip thesheet, and a flexible train of gearing'connected to said suctioncreating means whereby to actuate the latter. v

The foregoing specification signed at New York, N. Y., this 17th day ofMay, 1910.

WILLIAM R. KINNEAR.

I In the presence of two witnesses: M. L. SULLIVAN, I. M. BLANCHFIELD.

acent said V

